On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
lashonharangue
More photos from my one day visit at the Ngorongoro Crater.
Our guide indicated this is an Augur buzzard.
I think warthogs are so ugly that they are kind of cute. This male was walking around. When warthogs run the tail sticks straight up.
The male kori bustard is the largest flying bird native to Africa, though it spends most of the time walking on the ground. It is the national bird of Botswana.
This one was doing a mating display and call trying to attract a female. We watched for a while and it seemed he failed to impress. But he might have gotten lucky later.
A herd of Cape buffalo.
And a herd of wildebeest.
This shot makes it look like it is a lone wildebeest. Actually, there was a long line of them slowly walking through the water. I composed the shot to include the Thomson’s gazelle in the background.
This vista took my breath away. The zebras in the wild flowers, a herd of elephants beyond the trees (expand the image), and the lake and crater wall in the distance.
A mother and calf zebra.
The cape buffalo and the zebras pretty much ignored each other.
If you want to see huge herds of animals the Serengeti is probably better, but the Ngorongoro Crater is a truly unique place to see nature.
eclare
That photo of the zebras in the wildflowers is gorgeous.
Spanish Moss
Stunning! Thanks for sharing, these photos really make me want to plan my own visit.
eclare
@Spanish Moss:
I went to Kenya in 1997, highly recommend.
Spanish Moss
@eclare: What time of year was your trip?
eclare
@Spanish Moss:
November. So we didn’t see the big migration, but the weather was perfect. Also, we booked a package deal, which turned out to be way cheaper than arranging things individually. It was seamless.
sab
That’s right about running warthog’s tails! I just googled ‘running warthogs’ and saw some stock photos, and the tails do stick straight up.
mrmoshpotato
I heard they get downhearted from every time that they’ve farted.
mrmoshpotato
So close! So close, you humorless, bird-naming bastards!
mrmoshpotato
Where are their wings – and their mockery of Jason Kelce? Also, roughing the passer.
MCat
The warthogs really are cute. And the zebras are gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing these great pictures.
pieceofpeace
Ahh, this is a refreshing way to begin the day. The warthogs, with their odd look, do have an adorable feature, from a large head to delicately tiptoeing through the terrain, the zebra photo is terrific, but it’s the wildebeest that cause me to look longest. Do they look regal, while displaying a sense of fearsome? strength at the same time?…
Thanks for these. Are there more?
lashonharangue
@pieceofpeace: Just yesterday and today. I have other places in Africa I may post in the future.
The wildebeest is a herd animal. They actually get spooked often and will all start running.
Avalune
That has to be the one of the most handsome “buzzards” I’ve ever seen.
Realworldrj
StringOnAStick
The display by the male bustard just screams “I EVOLVED FROM DINOSAURS!”
Winter Wren
Awesome photos. Love zebras in the field in particular – great composition!